Colorado won’t join the growing list of states where partisan leaders are rushing to redraw congressional maps before the 2026 midterms. A voter-approved constitutional amendment and a 2003 Colorado Supreme Court ruling — which struck down Republicans’ infamous “midnight gerrymander” — prevent the state from redrawing districts mid-decade.
The national redistricting battle intensified after former President Donald Trump pushed Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to remake his state’s maps, a move designed to secure up to five more GOP seats. Democrats in states like California have threatened countermeasures, and as many as a dozen states are considering similar strategies.
In Colorado, former Rep. Yadira Caraveo urged Democrats to repeal the state’s independent redistricting commission and “fight back” against Republican moves elsewhere. But Gov. Jared Polis and Sen. John Hickenlooper rejected the idea, calling mid-decade redistricting a “craven and cynical ploy.”
Colorado voters created independent redistricting commissions in 2018 to keep map-drawing out of politicians’ hands. While the amendment could be repealed in a future election, it cannot appear on the ballot until 2026 due to TABOR restrictions.
The legal roadblock dates back to 2003, when the GOP-controlled legislature tried to redraw congressional maps in the final hours of the session, aiming to lock in Republican advantages. The state’s high court struck down the effort, ruling that Colorado’s constitution only allows redistricting once a decade.
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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